TABLE 1—
Clients’ Strengths and Needs: Connecticut Building Bridges Community Reentry Initiative, 2005–2007
| Assessment or DOC Health Summary Item | No. (%) |
| Universal risks a | |
| Employed prior to incarcerationb | 102 (58.96) |
| Housing | |
| Lived in own residence or with family prior to incarcerationb | 151 (87.28) |
| No permanent housing arrangements after releasec | 52 (30.06) |
| Access to health care | |
| Uninsured prior to incarcerationc | 78 (45.09) |
| No HIV test in past yc | 74 (42.77) |
| No physical, eye, or dental exam in past yc | 40 (23.12) |
| Informal supports | |
| Social and family supportsa | 138 (79.77) |
| Inadequate community resourcesc | 70 (40.46) |
| Feeling of isolationc | 55 (31.79) |
| Selective risks d | |
| Education | |
| Enrollment in postsecondary education programb | 151 (87.28) |
| Educational attainment of high school or equivalentb | 114 (65.90) |
| Participation in vocational/technical training in prisonb | 59 (34.10) |
| Financial stability | |
| Debtsc | 126 (72.83) |
| Received government assistance prior to incarcerationc | 123 (71.10) |
| Child support arrearagesc | 42 (24.28) |
| Substance abuse | |
| Substance abuse treatment in lifetimea | 107e (86.99) |
| Regular substance usec | 123 (71.10) |
| History of drug abuse or dependencec | 107 (62.00) |
| Tobacco usec | 104 (60.00) |
| Diagnosis of substance abusec,61 | 100 (58.00) |
| Substance abuse treatment in prisonb | 55 (44.72) |
| History of alcohol abuse or dependencec | 66 (38.00) |
| History of polysubstance abuse or dependencec | 42 (24.00) |
| Indicated risks f | |
| Mental health | |
| Good to excellent mental healthb | 153 (88.44) |
| Psychiatric disorders,c total | (< 25.00) |
| Anxiety | 40 (23.12) |
| Paranoia | 29 (16.76) |
| Depression | 28 (16.18) |
| Suicidal ideation or attempts | 10 (5.78) |
| Substance-induced delirium, hallucinations, or mood disordersc | 31 (18) |
| Physical health | |
| Good to excellent physical healthb | 153 (88.44) |
| Current prescription medicationsc | 27 (15.61) |
| Chronic health conditions,c total | (< 10) |
| Asthma | 17 (9.83) |
| High blood pressure | 15 (8.67) |
| Arthritis | 11 (6.36) |
| Diabetes | 4 (2.31) |
| Heart disease | 2 (1.16) |
| Sexually transmitted infectionsc | 6g (3.47) |
Note. DOC = Department of Correction. Health conditions and substance use were self-reported. The sample size was n = 173.
a
Applies to entire population of interest.
b
Strength.
c
Need.
d
Applies to a subgroup of the population that is at increased risk of difficulties.
e
Based on 123 men with substance abuse histories.
f
Applies to those at greatest risk.
g
No clients reported being HIV positive.